THE TILEFISHES. FAMILY BRANCHIOSTEGIDAE

The tilefishes are sea-bass-like in appearance, but with the soft (rear) portion of the dorsal fin much longer that the spiny forward part, and the ventral fins are under the pectorals (thoracic). The only species that occurs off the northeastern United States is characterized by a large fleshy flap on the nape, suggesting (though not corresponding to) the adipose fin of salmons and smelts. But this adipose flap or fin is not shared by its relatives.